2023 Ride Schedule Open and Moving to Spond for ride scheduling

2023 Season Opening and Move to SPOND app for ride scheduling

A couple of quick ones to start:


– the 2023 kit should arrive any day. Pick up instructions at HQ will be sent to the individuals who ordered.
– haven’t signed up yet?  – Sign Up for 2023
– thanks to all the VCC riders who have volunteered to be ride leaders for the jack ride. And special thanks to Rich Martyn for volunteering his time on the gravel ride committee

2023 Ride Calendar Open

Apologies for the delay in opening the ride calendar. We’ll be starting with the following and then opening up the rest.

– Tues / Thurs Breakaway is being lead and managed by Craig Tyndall through his WhatsApp group
– Tues Peloton, which is new to 2023, is just a tad slower than the Breakaway. This will be managed and lead by Rich Martyn.  More to follow on a Thursday option.
– Wed Tempo will be lead by a gaggle of ride captains as we generally have several capable riders to overseeing this ride
– Thurs Gravel will be a formal VCC event this year and Keith will lead these morning rides and start locations. For those gravel interested riders, keep an eye on the calendar
– Saturday DPH ride is being lead by Keith Luder. As the interest rises ,and people get in top cycling conditioning, this ride will split into the traditional route and the option of an extended group
– Sunday Outta Town Rides are being lead by Rich Williams which is also managed through a WhatsApp chat group given the variety of rides and start locations

Monday Tips and Clips has a large number of new to group riding potential members so Greg and Rich are holding a training ride this coming Wednesday. Following this session, the rollout of the regular ride schedule will be posted

Integration of the Ride Calendar and Messaging (pay attention here)

We are excited to move the majority of our ride scheduling to an app called Spond (https://www.spond.com/).

Spond has the following benefits:
– as you would expect all rides can viewed in the app, the start time, location and expected distance
– communicating specifics to each ride such as weather issues which eases the burden on the Ride Captains
– it is available for iPhone and Android as well as desk top version
– the app allows Ride Captains to communicate specific to each unique ride. Even if you haven’t signed up you can see the communications
– users can choose to get notifications specific to those rides they are interested in. Or to receive no notifications.
– it is relatively simple for the users and there is no cost to users

This will take a bit of patience to get configured but once you are set, you just have to check on the rides you care about and ignore the rest

We are working on a rollout plan which will follow soon and as of the date of this message we will upload all members to Spond who have registered with VCC and you should be notified directly from Spond once this is done. 

We will continue in parallel with the website calendar for a period until such time as we get everyone comfortable with Spond. We will only be uploading your name and email into Spond. The roll out plan will be emailed to those who were uploaded and also be available on the Home Page of the website

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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DPH Rides and Kit Update

DPH Rides begin, 2023 Kit Update

Just a quick note that Keith is back from the successful Gravelocity/VCC trip to West Virginia and looking to re-start the Saturday DPH rides. Check the calendar on the website, and sign up so we can see the overall interest. It’s a 9am start to accommodate the unusually cooler temperatures.

As well, Castelli has advised that we should expect delivery of the 2023 kit order to HQ on or around May 16th. Once we have the order sorted, a direct e-mail will be sent to all who ordered to advise pick up instructions.

We expect the ride calendar to expand to its usual format around mid May.

Haven’t registered yet for VCC?  – Sign Up for 2023

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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Title

Velocity Cycling Club is following the lead of the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) concerning cycling activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to May 29th, the OCA had cancelled all sanctioned events due to COVID – 19.

On May 29th the OCA followed in lock step with the Ontario government which has now permitted group riding with up to 5 participants provided they remain 2 metres apart. The OCA subsequently provided directions to permit sanctioned group riding of up to 5 riders to begin on June 4th. While this is positive news there are requirements to be followed including pre and post ride procedures for the club and riders to follow, PPE requirements for all riders to carry and a waiver is also required to be signed. All of these must be followed to permit sanctioned rides to begin and thus have insurance coverage available.

Your board will be evaluating these requirements and conclude on whether it makes sense to recommence VCC group rides along this timeline, a delayed timeline or to wait until there is further opening up of the restrictions. Watch your club e-mails for updates as the re-commencement of club activities progresses.

Please see the latest OCA update here : May 29 – OCA Return to Cycling

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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DPH Rides Begin for 2023

2023 Start of DPH Rides

Just a quick note that we will continue with the Saturday DPH rides for the next two weeks. They will start from Humbertown and be departing at 9am. Please use the calendar on the website so that we can monitor numbers.

We expect the ride calendar to expand to its usual format after the first week of May.

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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Year End Social Update

Year End Social Update

Don’t Forget to Sign Up

For the social event of the year being held on Tuesday November 29th at 7pm at the High Park Brewery. HPB website.

Please sign up on the club calendar so that we can manage matters with HPB https://www.velocitycyclingclub.com/

We have you covered, we just won’t tolerate any drinking and driving so plan accordingly.

And a quick update from Bill and the gang at Chain Reaction:

  • they are offering VCC members a discount on bike tune ups after a long season until December 3rd.  Call to book an appointment.

           Pro Tune Up –  reg $119 for $89
           Pro Tune Up with drivetrain cleaning reg – $179 for $139
           Trainer Tune Up and cleaning  – $45

  • all in stock Smart Trainers on sale up to 40% until Nov 28th

And they have a few fat bikes coming in so if you have interest you know who to call

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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Year End Social

Year End Social / First Aid Training

                                                     Year End Social Event Date and Time
 

Good news, we have selected a new location and date for our much-anticipated 2022 Members Meeting and social event which will be held on Tuesday November 29th at 7pm at the High Park Brewery. HPB website

For this event all you need to know other than the date and location is the following:

What we are providing:

  • We have a dedicated room for the event so it should be much improved from last year
  • A great selection of food and libations

What you need to do:

  • Get the date in your calendar and spread the word
  • Transportation to and from the event

Please sign up on the club calendar so that we can manage matters with HPB https://www.velocitycyclingclub.com/

Hope to see a great turnout, and of course, absolutely no drinking and driving.

Once again, we are expecting to have a full Castelli fit kit available for trying on as 2023 will be our three-year anniversary with the current kit and we will be unveiling , early in the New Year, our updated design.

                                                          

                                                                    VCC First Aid Training

I wanted to give a big shout out  to the 12 participants who completed the 8-hour on-line session and 8-hour full day of practical first aid training that was concluded today. Thanks also to the Ontario government for their funding to support this important training to strengthen the overall expertise within the club should the need be called upon.

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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Tanya’s Ride and Weekend Ride Update

Tanya's Ride and Weekend Ride Update

5th Annual Tanya’s Ride

Thanks to all who participated at Tanya’s Ride last Saturday. The day started off cool and finished in the early afternoon with lovely weather. In all we had 45 register with good representation across all three ride groups. We all enjoyed a meal and some stories afterwards at Albion Hills.

More importantly, we were able to far exceed our previous fund raising total by raising $45,000 this year. A big thanks to the Luder family for their participation and fund raising efforts as this event has now exceeded $130,000 fund raising over its initial 5 years.

Weekend Ride Update

Keep an eye on the calendar as rides are continuing while the weather co-operates. This coming weekend we have the DPH and Get Outta Town rides scheduled.

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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Year end rides

Year End Charity Rides

5th Annual Tanya’s Ride – Saturday October 1st from Albion Hills Conservation Area

Tanya’s Ride is quickly approaching, and the planning is all set. Now we need commitments from our club riders and their friends (the ride is open to non-VCC members).

We have 15 commitments at this time and have raised almost $10,000 so far.

What is on offer:

  • A beautiful setting at Albion Hills Conservation Park Albion Hills for some great fall country riding
  • We will be offering at least three rides: two road rides and one gravel ride
  • We have an excellent site with covered picnic area (if required)
  • We will serve a great hot meal with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
  • Luca’s tiramisu is back by popular demand to finish off your amazing day

This is one of the primary fund-raising events for the Brain Injury Society of Toronto and requires a $100 donation.

                                                 Sign Up or donate here
 

Cycle for St Joe’s – Sunday September 25th from the Mattamy National Cycling Centre

And let’s not forget that our local hospital St Joe’s has its ride this coming Sunday from the Mattamy National Cycling Centre Find it here which includes a fully serviced 25km countryside loop that you can do as many times as you like.

Join the Chain Reaction Team here        Sign Up here

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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5th Annual Tanya’s Ride – October 1st

5th Annual Tanya's Ride - details firming up

5th Annual Tanya’s Ride – Saturday October 1st from Albion Hills Conservation Area

Tanya’s Ride has become a core funding raiser for the Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST) and VCC is a proud supporter. Last year the event raised over $20,000 and we are looking to reach this level again in 2022.

We are already off to a great start, as we previously announced, through the leadership of Rob Givens the former Prez of VCC, a $5,000 donation has been made to BIST on behalf of Arbor Memorial where Rob works.

Whether you can ride (a minimum donation of $100 is required) or not, please support this event by clicking on the link below. We are also designating the ride as a “Try-A-Ride“ event so please feel free to invite a friend or two. They just have to complete the additional link on RaceRoster to fully register.

Food
We are working on another hot meal post ride. More on this as the event gets closer.

Rides
We’ll start with offering three great ride choices, and if warranted, add a shorter gravel option. We should be able to accommodate all rider distances and speeds.

Road (Tempo) – +/- 70 km starting at 10am
Road (Social) – +/- 50 km starting at 11am
Gravel – +/- 80 km starting at 10am

Please note that if the weather co-operates, and the temperatures are warmer than normal, we may move the ride start times back earlier so that we can get you home a little sooner.

Sign up now

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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TDA Update #2

Tour D'Abernethy Update #2

We are pivoting on ride choices for TDA 2023 – two shorter rides added
 
With just over a week to go, we are having great success in the fund raising and demand for the gravel ride but struggling on the road ride options. As such, we would like to hear back from the membership on whether a 50-60 km road and or gravel option would be of interest? This affords the rider the benefits of the beautiful scenery with more moderate ride challenges.

The additional benefit of the shorter rides are that people can leave Toronto at a more reasonable time.

We have decided to cancel the 120km road ride and added a shorter road and gravel ride at approx 50km to the calendar, so if you are interested, please sign up or simply email Paul at pmartin@www.velocitycyclingclub.com should you have any questions. Sign up on the home page by scrolling across to Aug 27th  https://www.velocitycyclingclub.com/

Haven’t donated yet? Donate to Jim’s Preferred Charity – Do it Now

Thanks, and hope to hear back on some additional interest in this great and worthwhile event.

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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Tour D’Abernethy Update

Tour D’Abernethy Charity Ride Update

Time to sign up / donate to this great cause!!

We are now closing in on the last two weeks before our 3rd annual Tour D’Abernethy in support of childhood cancer. We have three great rides planned, two road distances and an exciting new gravel option.

First and foremost, this is a charity event, and we want to exceed our goal of $10,000 in support of Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium), for kids and families affected by childhood cancer.

Donate to Jim’s Preferred Charity – Do it Now

Other important information:

  1. This not restricted to only VCC members. We will work with the OCA to secure Try-A-Ride for the day. So, feel free to invite your cycling friends that aren’t members.
  2. Food ordering will follow in the next update to ensure people get what they prefer, and we deal with allergies
  3. The route for our gravel ride has been confirmed
  4. The start location is at the hill top of Beaver Valley and al rides offer great scenery. Look for the new VCC club tent (thank you to the government of Ontario for their support) and sponsor thanks at the entrance. Start location

The ride options are noted below so sign up so we have a good understanding of the numbers attending. Go to the calendar on the home page and scroll over to August 27th. It’s simple:         https://www.velocitycyclingclub.com/

Ride options

120km Road Route

80km Road Route

80km Gravel Route

If you have questions about the article above, send us an email.

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